- Among the rescued people were four adults and two children who were taken ashore to check their health | Photo: Colombian Navy
Officials of the Colombian Navy On Friday, October 25, they rescued six Venezuelan migrants who were traveling in a boat off the coast of San Andrés, in the Colombian municipality of the Archipelago.
The Command of Saint Andrew and Providencia, together with the Air Force of that country, located the vessel named “Zafir”, which was allegedly sailing towards Central America.
The Colombian Navy (…) through one of its rapid reaction units and patrol and area control tasks manages to intercept a vessel south of the island of San Andrés, three nautical miles away, where it was apparently carrying out irregular transit towards the coasts of Central America,” explained frigate captain Guillermo Lozano in a video from the military institution.
According to Colombian authorities, four of the migrants are adults and two are children. These people were taken ashore to verify their health status.
In addition, two other people were on board, supposedly in charge of transporting the migrants by sea.
Those responsible for mobilizing the migrants are two Colombian citizens, who were detained by the authorities and remained at the disposal of the Colombian Attorney General’s Office.
Colombian citizens are accused of the alleged crime of migrant smuggling.
Lozano called on Colombian and South American citizens to avoid the use of this type of transportation for migratory transit to the center and north of the continent.
Migrant trafficking in San Andrés
Colombian authorities detained four people dedicated to migrant trafficking in Colombia on Monday, October 21. Among the arrests, those of two officials from the island of San Andrés stand out.
The officials operated as “coyotes” to transport Asian migrants from Colombia to the United States. The Colombian Criminal Investigation Directorate and Interpol reported that the defendants received payments of between $2,000 and $2,500 per person.
A day earlier, on October 20, the Colombian Coast Guard rescued 22 migrants who were traveling in a boat 27 nautical miles southwest of the island of San Andrés.
17 of the migrants assisted are Venezuelan citizens, 13 of them are adults and 4 are minors.
Recently it also marked one year since the disappearance of 38 Venezuelan migrants near the island of San Andrés. On October 21, 2023, the IAS-II boat disappeared, carrying 42 migrants towards Nicaragua.
In 2022, three boats with migrants also disappeared on that maritime route; the first, on August 5; the second on October 12, and the third on December 17.
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Interview with Frigate Captain Guillermo Lozano of the Colombian Navy
Editor: Thank you for joining us today, Captain Lozano. Can you provide us with a brief overview of the recent rescue mission off the coast of San Andrés?
Captain Lozano: Thank you for having me. On October 25, our rapid reaction unit, in coordination with the Air Force, intercepted a vessel named “Zafir” that was approximately three nautical miles south of San Andrés. The boat was crowded with six Venezuelan migrants—four adults and two children—who were suspected of irregularly trying to transit towards Central America.
Editor: That sounds like a significant operation. How did your team locate the vessel?
Captain Lozano: We utilized our routine patrol and area control tasks. Our trained personnel are constantly monitoring maritime activities, especially those related to irregular migration. In this case, the swift response allowed us to reach the vessel in time to ensure the safety of the migrants aboard.
Editor: What happened after the rescue?
Captain Lozano: Once we brought the migrants ashore, our primary concern was their health and well-being. We conducted thorough health checks to ensure they were not in distress. Unfortunately, we also apprehended two Colombian citizens on board who were allegedly responsible for their illegal transportation. They are currently in custody and facing charges of migrant smuggling.
Editor: Can you speak to the broader issue of migrant trafficking in the region? What measures is the Colombian Navy taking to combat this?
Captain Lozano: Absolutely. Migrant trafficking is a grave issue, not only in Colombia but across South America. We have seen a rise in such incidents, which can endanger lives. Our forces are actively engaged in operations aimed at disrupting these smuggling networks. We alert the public to avoid dangerous routes and to seek safer, legal migration pathways.
Editor: Thank you, Captain Lozano, for sharing your insights and for the vital work the Colombian Navy is doing to protect vulnerable migrants.
Captain Lozano: Thank you for bringing attention to this important issue. It’s crucial that we all work together to safeguard human lives in our region.
G>Editor: It’s reassuring to hear that your team acted quickly. After the rescue, what steps were taken to ensure the well-being of the migrants?
Captain Lozano: Once we brought the migrants ashore, they underwent health checks by medical personnel. Our priority was to confirm their physical condition and provide any necessary care. It is vital for us to ensure their safety after such a harrowing experience.
Editor: That’s commendable. Can you tell us more about the individuals involved in transporting these migrants?
Captain Lozano: Yes, there were two Colombian nationals on board who were allegedly responsible for smuggling the migrants. They have been detained and are now under the jurisdiction of the Colombian Attorney General’s Office. We are committed to addressing human trafficking and smuggling in our waters decisively.
Editor: These operations to combat human smuggling must be challenging. What message would you like to convey to those considering such dangerous journeys?
Captain Lozano: I urge all citizens of Colombia and South America to avoid using irregular means for immigration. The risks are immense, and the consequences can be dire, both physically and legally. It’s crucial to seek safe and legal pathways for migration.
Editor: Thank you, Captain Lozano, for providing us with this important insight into your recent mission and the ongoing challenges of human trafficking.
Captain Lozano: Thank you for having me. We appreciate your support in raising awareness about this critical issue.
